realtors

General Talk

That's just crazy. What sort of tipped me off to being suspicious is they sent a registration form requesting intimate details about my business, and told me they would explain how it works after the registration form was completed and returned.

Oh well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LawnBoy0311

There are quite a few companies like that. They get these bids, then in turn sub them out for CHEAP. I talked to one once to get an explanation on how it works. Here is what I understood....

For lawns quoted at $35-$40 a cut by me, they were paying $20 the first cut and $15 for each additional. You had to take plenty of pictures to show you were there, and had to send them to them. After all the paperwork and pictures, you would get paid. If you show up and the lawn is overgrown, they pay you a couple bucks for gas, and you submit a bid as to how much it will cost for you to cut it. You may or may not get the job.

Theres more to it than that, but I'm sure you get the idea. They are looking to pay as little as possible.

I thought of every which way to make money doing this. I'm pretty sure a lot of us have. With my area being so big, they had over 100 foreclosed properties around me. This didn't count neighboring towns....only mine. With so much potential, the margins are just too small to work with.

Seems like a lot of red tape, and I'm not sure I trust these folks to pay on time.

Think it's worth it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by LawnBoy0311

There are quite a few companies like that. They get these bids, then in turn sub them out for CHEAP. I talked to one once to get an explanation on how it works. Here is what I understood....

For lawns quoted at $35-$40 a cut by me, they were paying $20 the first cut and $15 for each additional. You had to take plenty of pictures to show you were there, and had to send them to them. After all the paperwork and pictures, you would get paid. If you show up and the lawn is overgrown, they pay you a couple bucks for gas, and you submit a bid as to how much it will cost for you to cut it. You may or may not get the job.

Theres more to it than that, but I'm sure you get the idea. They are looking to pay as little as possible.

I thought of every which way to make money doing this. I'm pretty sure a lot of us have. With my area being so big, they had over 100 foreclosed properties around me. This didn't count neighboring towns....only mine. With so much potential, the margins are just too small to work with.

Hey guys, I have done some work for a company back in '03 or '04 & they payed for what I done but took a while, usually 45 days minimum.. I've looked into it recently & a good web site to go to to give you guys more detailed info on this & I recomend this before you talk to any of them in depth ..the site is www.propertypreservationaccademy.com I know pretty long aye! But a great place for info...Hope this helps..

Also, look at the HUD guidelines on that site & they will give you an update on prices per sq.ft on cutting & everything else....the guideline that everyone has to go by....it will give you a better range of what you can charge too...the price sheet you get from the preservation company is just suggestive for the most part ,,if you have to travel, or overgrown,etc; they know you have to make a profit too.....bid to make money...

Seems like a lot of red tape, and I'm not sure I trust these folks to pay on time.

Think it's worth it?

Be careful on these, they make you fill out the 10-99 form. Your saying your a sub contractor with them and will be paying taxes on it.

It sounds like the prices are decent, its just not worth the headache with the pictures and trusting a company will pay you when your providing pictures to say you did the job. Like you said, too much red tape.

yep, my thoughts exactly, I did for the one company because the job was in the same area I'm in, but the other jobs were few & very far between..just not worth it to drive so far (60 miles + sometimes) for a 35-45$ lawn. Up here in Mich. you got to drive a little bit anyway but there jobs you do every week & more than one lawn & you know when your getting paid! Nope, not for me either!

you really have to look at the Hud guidelines for your state... in michigan the prices for yard mantenance is currently: Initial cut up to 10,000 sq ft=$85.00 Initial cut to 15,000 sq ft=$105.00 re-cut up to 10,000 sq ft=$80.00 re-cut 10,000 sq ft to 15,000 sq ft=$100.00 trim shrub=$35.00 snow removal=$45.00 I'm not going this route myself I'm just putting these prices on here cuz its different depending on what state your in!You will still have few & far between & long distances to travel & will cut into your regular sheduled cuttings as well...must have the cash to maintain until you get paid too...at least 45 days!